05 Ridgeback Won't Shut Off

[dingo]

Hey all,

I ran some searches and did not see this particular problem....

A buddy of mine just called me and said that his 05 Ridgeback starts and runs fine but will not shut off using either the Run / Stop switch or the Ignition Key. He had to pop the clutch and stall the bike. He says this started after he got caught in some heavy rain. He's supposed to stop over tonight and we'll take a look. I am not an expert by any means but have a bit more understanding than him.

I will check for:

a) moisture in the Run / Stop switch

b) faulty grounds / connections or bare wires

c) bad switches

Appreciate your thoughts on other possible causes or things to check for ?

Thanks,

dingo

 

[RRRUFF]

Be sure to check the connections at the EHC, moisture will settle out there also.

 

[Raywood]

Dingo, there was a Service Bulletin issues to fill the EHC with die-electric grease. So I would pull it (being very careful) and check to see if it's got any in it. Guess the seals didn't seal very well and water could get in and cause these gremlins. Also, check to see if he has the new PCB boards in the hand controls. You can tell by pushing the buttons and listeng/feeling for a click. Use your's as a comparison. Early models didn't do this and were upgraded, and were more waterproof.

Lastly see if you can replicate it again and then tell us what lights are lit up on the EHC. And if it's the clear potted model or the black one. Serial plug or USB.

 

[dingo]

Thanks, guys, really appreciate your help !!

Just spoke to my buddy and told him to watch the EHC lights if / when this happens.

We are getting together Thursday night and we'll go through these items - hopefully it's a simple fix.

 

[bdmridgeback]

Dingo, there was a Service Bulletin issues to fill the EHC with die-electric grease. So I would pull it (being very careful) and check to see if it's got any in it. Guess the seals didn't seal very well and water could get in and cause these gremlins. Also, check to see if he has the new PCB boards in the hand controls. You can tell by pushing the buttons and listeng/feeling for a click. Use your's as a comparison. Early models didn't do this and were upgraded, and were more waterproof.

Lastly see if you can replicate it again and then tell us what lights are lit up on the EHC. And if it's the clear potted model or the black one. Serial plug or USB.

Just in addition to Ray's note here. BDM messed up in the design of the plugs on the EHC when it come to water. The EHC itself has a female socket and the main plugs fit down into these sockets, instead of the plugs fitting over top and outside the EHC plugs. So the problem is, when the bike gets washed or caught in rain, the water runs down the harness and pools INSIDE the EHC plugs. That is why the sockets need to be completely filled with grease.

 

[dingo]

Just in addition to Ray's note here. BDM messed up in the design of the plugs on the EHC when it come to water. The EHC itself has a female socket and the main plugs fit down into these sockets, instead of the plugs fitting over top and outside the EHC plugs. So the problem is, when the bike gets washed or caught in rain, the water runs down the harness and pools INSIDE the EHC plugs. That is why the sockets need to be completely filled with grease.

Thanks, Jake.

 

[Raywood]

Just in addition to Ray's note here. BDM messed up in the design of the plugs on the EHC when it come to water. The EHC itself has a female socket and the main plugs fit down into these sockets, instead of the plugs fitting over top and outside the EHC plugs. So the problem is, when the bike gets washed or caught in rain, the water runs down the harness and pools INSIDE the EHC plugs. That is why the sockets need to be completely filled with grease.

Yes and it's been reversed now on newer bikes.

 

[twowheel99]

Hey all,

I ran some searches and did not see this particular problem....

A buddy of mine just called me and said that his 05 Ridgeback starts and runs fine but will not shut off using either the Run / Stop switch or the Ignition Key. He had to pop the clutch and stall the bike. He says this started after he got caught in some heavy rain. He's supposed to stop over tonight and we'll take a look. I am not an expert by any means but have a bit more understanding than him.

I will check for:

a) moisture in the Run / Stop switch

b) faulty grounds / connections or bare wires

c) bad switches

Appreciate your thoughts on other possible causes or things to check for ?

Thanks,

dingo

If you need a new run/stop switch PCB type I still have some that I'm trying to sell....
2

 

[dingo]

If you need a new run/stop switch PCB type I still have some that I'm trying to sell....
2

Thanks twowheel, I'll let you know on that....see next post

 

[dingo]

Update:

Upon inspection:

1) The battery compartment was dusty but relatively dry and the old style EHC (I'm pretty sure its the old style - only 14 lights) had some pitting (see 2nd pic below) with no fault lights lit when running;

2) The 2 ECH bolts were broken so the EHC is not screwed down anymore but it sits in there pretty well - I put a piece of rubber between the EHC and the Frame for some shockproofing (presume that's ok?);

3) The EHC connector pins were very clean and there was a little dialectric grease in them - I added a bit more grease;

4) Run / Stop switch was dusty (no moisture) and the connector pins were clean - I greased them;

5) Cleaned and tightened all battery connections;

6) No bare wires or bad grounds visible;

Bike starts right up - but won't shut off with either the ignition key or the Run/Stop switch.

Seems odd that neither switch will shut her down so I am thinking the likely culprit may be the EHC; Have I missed anything guys?

Thanks.

 

[Little-Boo]

Update:

Upon inspection:

1) The battery compartment was dusty but relatively dry and the old style EHC (I'm pretty sure its the old style - only 14 lights) had some pitting (see 2nd pic below) with no fault lights lit when running;

2) The 2 ECH bolts were broken so the EHC is not screwed down anymore but it sits in there pretty well - I put a piece of rubber between the EHC and the Frame for some shockproofing (presume that's ok?);

3) The EHC connector pins were very clean and there was a little dialectric grease in them - I added a bit more grease;

4) Run / Stop switch was dusty (no moisture) and the connector pins were clean - I greased them;

5) Cleaned and tightened all battery connections;

6) No bare wires or bad grounds visible;

Bike starts right up - but won't shut off with either the ignition key or the Run/Stop switch.

Seems odd that neither switch will shut her down so I am thinking the likely culprit may be the EHC; Have I missed anything guys?

Thanks.

In my old day I used to steal my dad's car by hot wiring it :roll::roll:, and what I used to do was run a wire from the Neg coil to the Positive Battery post, and place a screw drive between the positive and starter solenoid wire and start the car. Maybe try to start the bike with out turning key on and if it starts I would check to make sure your ignition is not hot wired in some way. I know that was on a car, it could be different in this case, but same principle so I would check that out. (neg coil wire and hot wire could be touching) :loony::loony:

Carlos

 

[bdmridgeback]

Yes and it's been reversed now on newer bikes.

How could they have reversed the plugs if the stock plugs in a 2005 bike still plug into the EHC just as they did before? All 6 EHC's put in my bike up till september of 2008 were the same plug.

I have never seen any changes in the plugs myself.

 

[Raywood]

How could they have reversed the plugs if the stock plugs in a 2005 bike still plug into the EHC just as they did before? All 6 EHC's put in my bike up till september of 2008 were the same plug.

I have never seen any changes in the plugs myself.

Gonna need a member with a newer model to post a picture of the new female harness connectors.

 

[bdmridgeback]

Here is the brand new EHC that the factory sent to my dealer in Sept 2008, not even a year ago, at the time they said it was the newest updated EHC. It plugged right into my 2005 harness without a plug conversion. The plugs fit down into the sockets on the EHC just like they have since 2005: